Super Junior-M

Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor
name = Super Junior-M

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caption = Super Junior-M in Nanjing in 2008.
chinesename =
tradchinesename =
simpchinesename =
pinyinchinesename =
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birthname =
ancestry =
origin = People's Republic of China
birthdate =
birthplace =
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othername = SJ-M
occupation = Singers, dancers, actors
genre = Mandopop, dance, R&B, hip hop
instrument =
voicetype =
label = SM Entertainment
Avex Asia (ROC)
yearsactive = 2008–present
currentmembers = Han Geng
Siwon
Donghae
Henry
Kyuhyun
Zhou Mi
Ryeowook
pastmembers =
associatedact = SMTown
Super Junior
Super Junior-K.R.Y
spouse =
partner =
children =
parents =
influences =
influenced = A-ONE"cite news | author= | title=A-ONE's new target is SJ-M, sleeps only several hours a day | date=2008-09-05 |work=Dayoo | pages=1 | url=http://news.dayoo.com/ent/200809/04/53922_4031500.htm | accessdate=2008-09-05 | language=Chinese]
website = [http://superjunior-m.iple.com/ superjunior-m.iple.com]
hongkongfilmwards =
goldenbauhiniaawards =
hkfcsawards =
goldenhorseawards =
goldenroosterawards =
mtvasiaawards =
goldenmelodyawards =
ntsawards =
awards = Music King Awards
Asia's Most Popular New Group
(2008)

Super Junior-M (Korean: 슈퍼주니어-엠), often referred to as SJ-M, is the third official sub-unit of Korean boy band Super Junior established in April 2008. They are the first international music group in the Chinese music industry to have members of both Chinese and Korean descent.cite news | author= | title=Super Junior-M debuts today, Han Geng as group leader | date=2008-04-08 | work=Jinhua.cn | pages=1 | url=http://ent.jinghua.cn/c/200804/08/n921675.shtml | accessdate=2008-04-08 | language=Chinese] They are also the first group produced by Korea's CT (Culture Technology) organization and was created through a comprehensive localization strategy.Official Website [http://superjunior-m.iple.com/pages/superjunior-m/version01/albumInfo/eng/album_if_intro.sm] Retrieved 2008-05-01 en icon] Super Junior-M contains five Super Junior members, Han Geng (the leader), Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook, Kyuhyun, and two non-Super Junior members, Henry and Zhou Mi.

Musical history

Pre-debut

Responding to Super Junior's rising popularity in China, Super Junior's management, SM Entertainment, decided to compose a new Super Junior sub-unit that is to focus entirely in the Chinese market. On October 2, 2007, an official announcement was released to the media, stating the birth of a third Super Junior subgroup that would debut in China in 2008. Super Junior's original member Han Geng, and an SM Chinese trainee, Henry, were stated to be the first two of the seven members representing the subgroup.cite news | author= | title=Super Junior China to start activities in China next year | date= | work=My Daily | pages=1 | url=http://www.mydaily.co.kr/news/read.html?newsid=200710030817371137 | accessdate=2008-04-03 | language=Korean] Five months later, a second Super Junior member, Siwon, was mentioned in news articles to be the third member.cite news | author= | title=SuJu to tour nine Asian countries | date=2008-02-26 | work=Hankooki | pages=1 | url=http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/sports/200802/h2008022618371891990.htm | accessdate=2008-04-03 | language=Korean] However, the confirmed list of members were not released to the public until April.

Starting from April 4, 2008 to April 7, 2008, the seven members were released to the media in a chain of short trailer clips on different days, introducing the members' versatility. Han Geng was the first member to be announced on April 4.cite news | author= | title=SJ-M's first member announced: Han Geng | date=2008-04-04 | work=Sohu | pages=1 | url=http://yule.sohu.com/20080404/n256097756.shtml | accessdate=2008-04-04 | language=Chinese] On April 5, Donghae and Siwon were announced to be the second and third members.cite news | author= | title=SJ-M members continue to unravel: Donghae and Siwon appears with new image | date=2008-04-05 | work=Sohu | pages=1 | url=http://yule.sohu.com/20080405/n256105924.shtml | accessdate=2008-04-05 | language=Chinese] On April 6, a new member, Henry, was announced to be the fourth Super Junior-M member, following Kyuhyun as the fifth.cite news | author= | title=SJ-M adds new member, Henry; appears along with Kyuhyun | date=2008-04-06 | work=Sohu | pages=1 | url=http://yule.sohu.com/20080406/n256116480.shtml | accessdate=2008-04-06 | language=Chinese] Rookie Zhou Mi was announced to be the sixth member on April 7 following Ryeowook as the final member.cite news | author= | title=SJ-M's last members revealed: Rookie Zhou Mi appears along with Ryeowook | date=2008-04-07 | work=Sohu | pages=1 | url=http://yule.sohu.com/20080407/n256127225.shtml | accessdate=2008-04-07 | language=Chinese] A trailer of all seven members was released on the group's debut day, April 8. Super Junior-M's trailer clips exceeded 1.4 million views in less than four days.cite news | author= | title=Super Junior-M debuts, over 1.4 million views | date=2008-08-08 | work=Nonewsnet | pages=1 | url=http://www.nownewsnet.com/news/newsView.php?id=20080407601004&relation=hit | accessdate=2008-04-08 | language=Korean]

Origin of the name

Before the official name of the subgroup was released, they were often referred to as Super Junior China. On April 3, 2008, SM Entertainment released the official name of the subgroup, Super Junior-M, with "M" representing the word "Mandarin," expressing the subgroup's ambition to become successful in the Chinese music market not limited to only China.cite news | author= | title=SJ's new China subgroup's name confirmed to be SJ-M, debut in April 8 | date=2008-04-03 | work=Sohu | pages=1 | url=http://yule.sohu.com/20080403/n256064562.shtml | accessdate=2008-04-03 | language=Chinese] The "M" can also represent a list of other aspects, such as the first letter of their debut album, "Me", and also "mi" (zh-c|c=), which denotes to "charismatic" as well as "fan" in Mandarin, the latter meaning referring to their desire to connect closer with fans.

2008: Commercial success

Super Junior-M debuted in China on April 8, 2008 at the 8th Annual Music Chart Awards and with the release of their first single music video, "U" online. Their debut album was released in various provinces in China starting April 23, 2008 and the Korean version with three bonus Korean tracks was releasd in South Korea on April 30, 2008. The album was also distributed in several other Chinese communities on May 2, 2008 such as Hong Kong and Taiwan.cite news | author= | title=G-Music New Product | date= | work=G-Music | pages=1 | url=http://www.g-music.com.tw/event/newproduct/newproduct.asp | accessdate=2008-08-06 | language=Chinese] Reviews for the album were generally positive and it also gained praise from Guangdong singer, Hins Cheung, who said the album contains "international-level music" and that the group is "vocally-talented". [cite news | author= | title=Hins Cheung radio interview | date= | work=Baidu | pages=1 | url=http://tieba.baidu.com/f?kz=408639283 | accessdate=2008-08-22 | language=Chinese]

On May 25, 2008 Super Junior-M won their first award, Asia's Most Popular New Group Award, at the 5th annual Music King Awards in Macau.cite news | author= | title=Han Geng reveals Kyuhyun's weird habits, SJ-M wants to perform in the Hong Kong Coliseum | date=2008-05-31 | work=Liao1 | pages=1 | url=http://news.liao1.com/newspages/200805/2494063.html | accessdate=2005-05-31 | language=Chinese] They also expressed wishes that they would like to hold a concert in the Hong Kong Coliseum sometime in the future.

After their debut performance in early April 2008, the group made guest appearances in many chains of entertanment variety shows. They appeared in an episode of the second season of TVB and HunanTV's collaboration show, "Strictly Come Dancing" (舞动奇迹), which made the show's ratings increase to 5.01%, ranking it the third most watched show ever in all of China.cite news | author= | title="Stricly Come Dancing" achieves high ratings | date= | work=Kzzj023 | pages=1 | url=http://www.kzzj023.com/news/Article.asp?ArticleID=184487 | accessdate=2008-08-06 | language=Chinese] Super Junior-M's appearance in the talk show, "Behind Story" (背后的故事) two months later also increased ratings. The show had the highest ratings during that time slot, with a strong 4.05%.cite news | author= | title="Behing Story" achieves highest ratings last week | date=2008-07-22 | work=QQ | pages=1 | url=http://ent.qq.com/a/20080722/000240.htm | accessdate=2008-08-06 | language=Chinese] Separated into several weekly episodes, the group's appearance in their first episode on the challenging game show, "Bravely Going Forward" (勇往直前) in early August gave the show the highest ratings during that time slot as well.Cite news | author= | title="Bravely Going Forward" earns #1 ratings, SJ-M spends summer with viewers | date=2008-08-04 | work=HunanTV | pages=1 | url=http://zixun.hunantv.com/hntv/20080804/29615.html | accessdate=2008-08-06 | language=Chinese]

Super Junior-M and Show Lo of Taiwan replaced Hong Kong entertainers, Nicholas Tse and Twins, for the 2008 summer season endorsement spots of Semir, a Chinese clothings brand.cite news | author= | title=SJ-M, Show Lo replaces Nicholas Tse for clothings brand | date=2008-08-18 | work=Sina | pages=1 | url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/h/2008-08-19/10402139510.shtml | accessdate=2008-08-21 | language=Chinese] They were acclaimed to be sunny, young, and passionate; thus their image was suitable to endorse the brand. [cite news | author= | title=Gillian Chung embarasses brand, SJ-M and Show Lo replaces | date=2008-08-18 | work=CCTV | pages=1 | url=http://news.cctv.com/performance/20080818/103288.shtml | accessdate=2008-08-21 | language=Chinese]

On August 29, 2008, Super Junior-M, along with other popular Chinese artists such as Jacky Cheung and Jolin Tsai, performed at the 7th Golden Eagle Opening Ceremony Concert.cite news | author= | title= Golden Eagle Ceremony Concert| date= | work=Sina | pages=1 | url=http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_49460d0901009xr4.html | accessdate=2008-07-12 | language=Chinese] It was the group's last promotional performance for "U."cite news | author= | title=Asian Night - Stars for the Olympics | date= | work=Tom | pages=1 | url=http://yule.tom.com/zhuanti/zongyi/asianight.html | accessdate=2008-08-29 | language=Chinese] The group gave their first performance of their second single, "Me," on September 13, 2008 at the SMTOWN LIVE '09 in Shanghai concert. The music video was released on September 14, 2008 through Sohu.

uper Junior-M's second album comeback

The group revealed in August 2008 that Super Junior-M will release their second album next year, slated for a release in the last quarter of 2009. [cite news | author= | title=Show Lo, etc endorses new brand | date=2008-08-19 | work=WZWB | pages=1 | url=http://wb.66wz.com/system/2008/08/19/100680768.shtml | accessdate=2008-08-21 | language=Chinese]

Musical style

Super Junior-M's goal is to bring the Korean pop influence over to the Chinese market, re-representing the hits in Mandarin. Similar to the style of their main group Super Junior, Super Junior-M's music style falls into the category of mainstream pop, dance, and R&B. Dance pop songs with rock and hip hop influences are easily heard in their music, such as in "Me" and "The Moment", which contains guitar riffs and heavy bass sounds. Rap is not performed as often like the main group, but these influences can be heard in "The Moment" and also the rap remakes in "Don't Don" and "A Man In Love".

Discography

tudio album

Television career

Oh August 22, 2008, Han Geng revealed that he will be filming a Chinese idol drama that is dedicated to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and filming will start October 2008. Other members of Super Junior-M will give cameo appearances in the drama. [ cite news | author= | title=SJ-M will film Olympic idol drama | date=2008-08-22 | work=QQ | pages=1 | url=http://ent.qq.com/a/20080822/000087.htm | accessdate=2008-08-22 | language=Chinese]

Controversy

"Only 13"

After the first announcement of Super Junior-M on October 2, 2007, and the possibility of adding a non-Super Junior member, Henry, to this unit, Super Junior fans immediately voiced out their dissatisfaction and opposition. Immediately, a website was built, called "Only 13", to oppose against SM Entertainment's actions. Through the website, fans of Super Junior communicate and plan out protesting actions against the company. Before legal protests began, many online petitions were made by both Korean and Chinese fans to prevent and convince the label to not add a fourteenth member. [cite news | author= | title=Ivyro | date= | work=Ivyro | pages=1 | url=http://kt1171.ivyro.net/zboard/zboard.php?id=foreign&page=1&page_num=20&category=&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&keyword=&prev_no=53&sn1=&divpage=1&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc# | accessdate=2008-04-04 | language=Korean] Initially fans were planning to boycott the company's products, similar to the actions taken by fans of TVXQ in the past. However, most fans agreed on a silent protest instead. On October 21, 2007 and throughout the week, over 400 fans from Super Junior's official fanclub, E.L.F, silently sat in front of the SM building and held signs that supported the group to have only thirteen members. [cite news | author= | title=My name is Fan | date=2007-10-21 | work=Bestiz | pages=1 | url=http://kerio.cafe24.com/zboard/view.php?id=superj&page=1&sn1=&divpage=6&sn=off&ss=on&sc=off&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=37813&PHPSESSID=e3211b15b7398f9304a7b49b1b664915 | accessdate=2008-04-04 | language=Korean] Situations became worse when SM Entertainment announced through the media that they never stated that Super Junior was a fixed group, although the label announced that Super Junior was a permanent group when Kyuhyun was added to the group in mid-2006.cite news | author= | title=Super Junior fans, "Do not increase members" | date=2007-10-24 | work=Daum | pages=1 | url=http://news.media.daum.net/entertain/broadcast/200710/24/yonhap/v18594884.html | accessdate=2008-04-04 | language=Korean] Thousands of fans wrote letters to the company and pleaded them to keep the group permanent, but no answer was returned.

Over one thousand more fans appeared in front of the SM building on E.L.F's third protest on November 3, 2007. [cite news | author= | title=Super Junior protest | date=2007-11-03 | work=Bestiz | pages=1 | url=http://kerio.cafe24.com/sj/view.php?id=superj&page=1&sn1=&divpage=6&sn=off&ss=on&sc=off&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=38444 | accessdate=2008-04-04 | language=Korean] Instead of a silent protest, the fans sang various Super Junior songs and shouted "thirteen." [cite news | author= |title=Super Junior protest part 2 | date=2007-11-03 | work=Bestiz | pages=1 | url=http://kerio.cafe24.com/sj/view.php?id=superj&page=1&sn1=&divpage=6&sn=off&ss=on&sc=off&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=38431 | accessdate=2008-04-04 | language=Korean] Although SM Entertainment's answer to the fans' protest stated that new members in Super Junior-M will not be added to the official group and thus will not affect Super Junior's main career, many fans still held the belief that there will be this possibility of seeing new official Super Junior members in the future.

After more rumors leaked of SM Entertainment sneaking in an extra non-Super Junior member, Zhou Mi, to the subgroup, the fans decided to gain this chance to have a legal representation as part of SM Entertainment's stockholders. As of March 20, 2008, Super Junior fans from all over the world purchased 58,206 stocks of SM Entertainment, holding 0.3% of the company's entire stock.cite news | author= | title=Super Junior fan club purchases 58,000 of SM'S share | date=2008-03-21 | work=Isplus | pages=1 | url=http://isplus.joins.com/enter/star/200803/21/200803210942515006020100000201040002010401.html | accessdate=2008-04-04 | language=Korean] They released a statement through the media, stating that they will obtain all chances to prevent SM Entertainment from adding new members and to keep Super Junior as only thirteen.

After the release of Super Junior-M's official blog on April 3, 2008, over 5,000 comments were posted by Chinese fans in an hour, voicing out their support to keep Super Junior as thirteen members. The administrator resulted in locking the comment box where only those with sohu blog accounts could comment. [cite news | author= | title=Super Junior-M's Official Blog | date= | work=Sohu | pages=1 | url=http://sj-msmtown.blog.sohu.com | accessdate=2008-04-04 | language=Chinese]

References

External links

* [http://www.smtown.com/ SM Entertainment Official Site]
* [http://superjunior-m.iple.com/ Super Junior-M Official Site]
* [http://www.avex.com.tw/SJM/ Super Junior-M Official Avex Site]
* [http://sj-msmtown.blog.sohu.com/ Super Junior-M Official Blog]